I think the ESPN Power ranking this week has the Bucs #4. This is PFT
1. Lions (last week No. 3; 4-1): The roar has been fully re-restored.
2. Eagles (No. 1; 4-1): Only the win over the Bucs kept them from falling to No. 3.
3. Buccaneers (No. 5; 4-1): Pay Baker Mayfield.
4. Bills (No. 2; 4-1): They still have more than a few flaws that can turn fatal in January.
5. Colts (No. 7; 4-1): Super Bowl teams don’t outscore lesser opponents; they dismantle them.
Disclaimer: just highlighting the outside view
Yes Baker and the offense are cooking but the defense has played in spots very well but they are still inconsistent. Last year in 17 games the defense had 7 INTs which is way below what Bowles had had his defense force since coming to Tampa Bay. So far this year in 5 games the defense has already forced 2 INTs but they also dropped several. It is clear that the defense needs to double their INT total from last year to really seal games and to hand the ball back to an electric offense.
unfortuntely no, not even close, but we can kick out anyone and I‘m fine with that.
it is fun watching this team. I am even afraid to imagine what we could achieve with decent DC
5 games in...sure. Things can change very quickly. We haven't hit the usual mis season slump.
Yep. His next contract goes up every game he saves. Shoulda restructured this offseason as it turns out. It's fine to ask a player to prove it before you give him the big payday, but then if he knocks it out of the park that strategy is going to cost you. And it will cost the Bucs.3. Buccaneers (No. 5; 4-1): Pay Baker Mayfield.
Football is a game of attrition. If after week 12, the defense is healthy, Baker is standing upright, we have two quality starting RB, and two WR of note, for sure this team can win the Super Bowl.
I started the season with the expectation that this is the best team we have had since 2022 and is a top 7 Buc’s team ever talent wise. It actually may be better than that. Egbuka is Jerry Rice which is a nice addition to any team.
The net/net, Tampa is winning the Super Bowl and there is no amount of crying or shitmouthing our coach that can prevent it. So many ladies on here with an ax to grind with Bowles, it’s laughable.
Bowles take
“I really think we’re a smarter team,” Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network yesterday. “We went into the season trying to be smarter than we were last year, especially at the end of ball games in two-minute. In certain situations, you can see Rachaad [White] go down inbounds (Sunday) after getting the first down, [his decision] brought the clock all the way down. Last year we were probably running out of bounds of scoring on those plays and everybody has attention to detail and understands what’s going on. I think we really are playing smarter.”
The Bucs are MORE injured this year than last and yet they have the best record in the NFC at the moment. And that is as they are playing through (arguably) the toughest stretch of their schedule
The defense ALMOST played a complete game against the 49ers, but they sealed the deal with turnovers and sacks. Overall that was a good defensive performances with some lapses here and there due to the shuffling of the secondary.
If the offense can keep the wheels on and put up 25+ points per game with the defense forcing turnovers they can continue to stack W's.
Overall that was a good defensive performances
Agreed. Good not great, but holding a team to only FGs and one TD is pretty good.
And if one looks at the 49er drives they are often ending because of a defensive play
Drive 1 - INT
Drive 2 - SACK is big play that holds them to a FG
Drive 3 - TD
Drive 4 - STOP (2 inc passes and hold CMC to a 4 yd run) hold themm to a FG
Drive 5 - CLOCK (end of half FG)
Halftime
Drive 6 - 49ers PENALTY, BUT its a screen and the Bucs defender fouled is Parrish defending the screen
Drive 7 - PUNT
Drive 8 - INT
Drive 9 - DOWNS
Defensively, this game was sort of the opposite of the Seattle game